student publications: june 2019
We are proud to offer you a Showcase of ECS Students Work submitted for publication in our June 2019 Call for Papers
To access the research articles, click on the related 'Read Now' button

Lucy Benford:
Children as learners - Schemas
Awaiting Bio / Personal Statement

Hannah Dray:
Reflection
"My name is Hannah Dray and I am in my first year studying for my degree in Early Years Development and Learning at Norland College. Before this, I worked as a nursery nurse and a nanny for a new-born baby and a 4-year-old girl. I continue to nanny at weekends and during holidays and I am looking forward to working as a villa nanny in Mallorca during this summer break. Such wonderful jobs greatly support my knowledge and skills learnt at Norland.
During the past year, I have experienced the most amazing range of placements, including helping in a reception class, a nursery baby room, a special needs placement, newborns and twins. The knowledge and insight gained have helped me to realise the wonderfully rewarding vocation of working with children. I am so motivated to become the best early years practitioner that I can possibly be."

Viktorie Luzova:
Bilingualism
"My name is Viktorie Luzova and I just graduated in BA Early Childhood Studies from Roehampton University, London. I have previously studied Early Years courses with placements in the Czech Republic and Australia, which gave me an insight into different perspectives, frameworks and practices. I have experienced about half of the children in each setting were bilingual.
As I am bilingual myself, I am passionate about this topic. I investigated what methods and strategies are best to raise bilingual children."

Anna Buchanan van Doorn:
Leading practice underpinned by research; a practical example
"My name is Anna Buchanan van Doorn and I have just finished my third year studying for my degree in Early Years Development and Learning at Norland College, I am also currently a qualified Level 6 Childcare practitioner. In order to achieve this, I have worked in a huge range of settings; from state and private schools to special educational settings, nurseries, preschools and forest schools. I am also very lucky to have also worked for many families, within both my Norland placements and within my own time working both in the UK and abroad. In doing so I have had the opportunity in three years to work with children of all ages, stages and disabilities. I find working with children incredibly rewarding and have been completely blessed with the experiences I have had over the past three years."

Anastasia Karagiannidou:
Reflection
"My name is Anastasia Karagiannidou and I am in my first year studying for my degree in Early Years Development and Learning at Norland College. Prior to this, I have done shadowing teaching as a secondary school student, as well as volunteering in schools and around different aged children in different locations in Asia as well as South America. I have further taken a course in Psychology and Sociology, and worked as a day nanny since 2018. Facilitating a child’s development is the most rewarding accomplishment I have ever experienced."

Clare Hinde:
Reflection on Practice
Clare Hinde recently graduated from the University of Warwick, Foundation Degree in Early Childhood. She is continuing her studies over the next academic year, working towards the BA (Hons) Degree. Clare’s long term goal is to become a Primary School Teacher.

Faye Tanner:
The Role of the Practitioner in Safeguarding
"My name is Faye Tanner and I am about to begin my third year studying for my Early Childhood Foundation degree at Warwick University. I have worked in a primary school setting for almost nine years and having completed my Level 3 diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, decided to challenge myself further. I hope to continue on to the BA research module where I intend to explore issues relating to the emotional welfare of children within an early years setting."

Rachel Iles:
An analysis of Quality Assurance models
"My name is Rachel Iles and I currently work as a baby room supervisor within an early years nursery setting. After working within the care industry then settling down with my own family, I was inspired to learn more about child development. I have since graduated with a first class honours degree in Early Years Education and Care: Practitioner Status, from The University of Wales Trinity Saint David; which has truly inspired me to help children thrive and give them the best start in life. I was therefore inspired to research into the effects high quality provision within early years settings can have on children. Understanding and promoting the holistic development of young children is a true passion of mine and I am now looking forward to completing an MA in Children’s Rights."

Emma Hewitt:
An exploration of the relationship between schema and language
"I have recently completed my MA in Integrated Working with Children and their Families in the Early Years at Pen Green, through the University of Hertfordshire. In my role as a tutor and researcher within this large, early years centre, I am privileged to be able to think about children’s learning, both individually and as a wider concept, on a daily basis. I have undertaken this research hoping to discover more about the relationship between two professional interests of mine – children’s schemas and their early language development – through the undertaking of case studies with four children and their families. I aim to utilise this learning to support future practice with regards to children’s speech, language and communication development, across the centre, and throughout the early years workforce I engage with as an adult learning tutor."

Rachna Joshi:
Exploring Froebelian Legacy
"My name is Rachna Joshi. I am a teacher in North London and I have been teaching in Early Years for 5 years now. I have been completing the MA in Early Childhood Studies at Roehampton University as a part time student and will be finishing this in 2020. I have loved learning and applying theory to my practice during the MA and developing my advocacy for children in the sector. I am passionate about Early Childhood Education and I am a member of Early Education as well as being on the committee for Early Education London branch."

Chloe Storr:
LGBT Inclusion in the Early Years
"My name is Chloe Storr, I have worked within the Early Years workforce in Bradford for the past ten years, and recently graduated with a first class BA (Hons) degree in ‘Integrated Working with Children and Families’ from the University of Hertfordshire University, partnered with Pen Green. My personal and professional journey into Early Years started with the love, care and compassion that my family gave to me. They taught me to understand, respect and celebrate differences. These values helped me to feel comfortable and accepted whilst growing up, knowing it was ok to identify as a member of the LGBT community. It is also these values which formed the foundations of my practice wisdom, drawing upon these values has led me to become a reflective practitioner who strives to ensure everyone in my care is celebrated and given the opportunity to thrive."